For Newly Diagnosed Patients

Have you recently been diagnosed with GIST?

If so, the Life Raft Group is here to help.

We suggest you watch the introductory video below, and use the Newly Diagnosed Checklist to help you navigate your treatment.

It is our belief, based on 18 years of helping those with GIST, that educated patients have better survival rates and quality of life. Please take the time to read our Starting Your GIST Education handout.

Remember that we are always here to help. From our knowledgeable staff to the experienced patients in our email community, there is always a source of information at your fingertips.

The Life Raft Group is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization (tax id: 82-0547746) providing support through information, education, and innovative research to patients with a rare cancer called GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor). View our 990 Form here

The information provided on the LRG site is designed to support,
not to replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician.
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International Patients

GIST knows no boundaries.
The Life Raft Group focuses on several key pillars. One of those pillars is “to increase access to effective treatments worldwide.” We aid patients from the United Kingdom to India and Kenya, helping wherever GIST patients are in need. Our patient registry staff interacts with global patients daily. The LRG Patient Registry has members from 63 countries, with country liaisons from 61 countries.
We present at international symposiums on GIST, support global advocacy issues, and work to establish alliances and collaborations. We want to ensure that GIST patients across the world have access to the best possible treatment.